Fire Permit Technician

City of Georgetown, TX; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Georgetown, Texas seeks a Public Permit Technician to provide information and assistance on fire permits and related activities. You will ensure application completeness, process permits per state law, and support Fire Marshal’s Office operations.

Responsibilities include frontline customer service, coordinating inspections, processing payments, and maintaining records. A notary certification is included as part of the role and ongoing administrative duties support code adoption and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1 year full-time experience involving public contact in the building industry, reading and interpreting construction plans and building codes.
• Or an associate’s degree or higher in lieu of the required experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training may meet requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as first contact for Fire Marshal’s Office, providing frontline customer service for fire permits and related activities.
• Provide information to property owners, developers, general contractors and the public regarding Fire Marshal’s Office processes, permit requirements, and services.
• Refer technical code interpretations to authorized personnel.
• Maintain and update revisions to codes and ordinances and notify builders, contractors, developers, engineers, and architects.
• Enter permits and applications into project tracking software and route for technical review and approval.
• Verify final inspections and prepare Certificate of Occupancy for signature.
• Coordinate and schedule inspections and other assigned activities.
• Assist with payment reconciliation, refunds, and other financial transactions.

Skills

Frontline customer service

Written & verbal communication

Procedural knowledge

MS Word & Excel

Detail-oriented

Time management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1 year public-facing building industry experience

Associate degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Overview

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business. Provides information and assistance to internal and external customers regarding fire permits and other fire prevention-related activities. Ensures completeness of permit applications and issues permits in accordance with State law, City standards, policies, and procedures. Schedules daily activity of fire inspectors in coordination with the Deputy Fire Marshal and provides administrative support to the Fire Marshal’s Office.

Essential Functions

• Serves as first point of contact for the Fire Marshal’s Office providing frontline customer service for fire permits and related activities.
• Provides general information and assistance to property owners, developers, general contractors and other trade professionals as well as the general public, regarding the Fire Marshal’s Office processes, procedures, permit requirements, and services.
• Refer technical code interpretations and compliance determinations to authorized personnel.
• Maintains and updates revisions to codes and ordinances, and provides notifications of revisions to builders, contractors, developers, engineers, and architects.
• Receives and enters all permits and other applications into project tracking software for the Department.
• Reviews application packets, plans, and supporting documents for administrative completeness, including required forms, plans, contractor information, and other applicable submittal requirements; routes applications to the appropriate personnel for technical review and approval.
• Supports the permit and application process by collecting required documentation, coordinating necessary reviews and approvals, and issuing permits once payment and other requirements are satisfied, including calculating and recording associated fees.
• Verifies that final inspections have completed, and documentation obtained; prepares Certificate of Occupancy for signature.
• Coordinates and schedules license inspections, mobile food vendor inspections, and other assigned inspection activities.
• Assists with payment reconciliation, refund processing, and other assigned financial transactions in accordance with City policies and procedures.
• Provides assistance with residential Knox Box purchases and related administrative processes.
• Receives and processes burn permit applications, as authorized, in accordance with established procedures.
• Assists with routine open records requests and the collection of responsive records in accordance with City policies and applicable procedures.
• Collects and assembles data and background materials for reports, special projects, and departmental activities.
• Provides administrative support for code adoption activities, including preparing notices, presentations, information packets, and other related materials.
• Maintains and manages Department files, records, and documents, electronically and/or on paper.
• Assists in preparing graphic designs, charts, and spreadsheets for reports.
• Provides general administrative support to Fire Marshal’s Office personnel, as assigned.
• Serves as Notary Public.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, training, and Experience Guidelines: High School diploma or equivalent; and One (1) year of full-time technical and/or operational support experience involving public contact in the building industry, with an emphasis on reading and interpreting construction plans and building codes; or An associate’s degree or higher in lieu of the required one (1) year of experience; OR Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Knowledge of

• Fire codes and fire code amendments and fire inspection processes and procedures.
• City of Georgetown’s Unified Development Code.
• Plan check, zoning, code administration, enforcement and permit approval processes and procedures.
• Building construction practices and materials.
• Construction drawings, plans, drafting symbols, customs, and techniques.
• Land measurement and legal descriptions.
• Applicable local, state, and federal codes, regulations and requirements.
• City’s permit process and requirements to obtain construction related permits.
• Records management and the Freedom of Information Act requirements.
• Principles and practices of teamwork to accomplish the overall need of the department.

Skills in

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Reading, comprehending and communicating departmental processes, policies and procedures.
• Using computers and related software applications; proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel.
• Performing detailed work.
• Using computer and related software programs.
• Basic mathematics to calculate fees; calculates work hours and sufficient math to complete reports and basic bookkeeping skills.
• Multiple tasks efficiently and applies knowledge of procedures to fulfill essential job duties.

Licenses and Certification Requirements

• Valid Class "C" Texas driving license.
• Permit Technician’s Certification obtained through the ICC, International Code Council OR must obtain certification within one (1) year from date of hire.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, crouching, bending, vision, hearing, talking. Using step ladder to access files.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range: $21.26 - $26.63, hourly.

Employment Type

Regular-Full time

City of Georgetown

The City of Georgetown, Texas, with a population of 106,907 (July 2025), is located 30 miles north of Austin along I-35. Known for its engaged, educated community, award-winning parks and trails, and small-town character amid rapid growth, Georgetown is guided by five core values: Integrity, Respect, Service, People-centered, and Adaptability.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Georgetown is an equal opportunity employer.

Offer Contingencies

• Proof of education, certification(s) and experience as listed on the employment application based on the job posting requirements.
• Satisfactory results from a pre-employment drug screening, criminal history background and driving record check.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

E-Verify

* *The City of Georgetown confirms verification of employment using E-Verify.

E-Verify checks the information against records held by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm whether the employee is legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Contact

For more information about the City of Georgetown, visit our website at https://www.georgetowntexas.gov